Dickinson emergency official fired in 6-2 vote

The top emergency official in Dickinson County in northwest Iowa has been fired after his guilty plea to public intoxication.

Timothy Kinnetz, 31, a volunteer firefighter and emergency management coordinator for the county, arrived drunk at a boating accident on West Okoboji Lake on June 15, police said.

The Dickinson County Emergency Management Commission voted 6 to 2 Thursday to terminate Kinnetz.

When Kinnetz arrived at the scene of the accident as a volunteer firefighter, police said he had a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech and a staggering stance.

Officers said Kinnetz refused five times to take a breath test.